AT RISK OF FALLING
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Posted:Aug 21, 2016 6:24 pm
Last Updated:Apr 27, 2024 5:14 pm 14379 Views
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Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1–13
Bible in a Year: Psalms 110–112; 1 Corinthians 5
If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
1 Corinthians 10:12
When my friend Elaine was recovering after a bad fall, a hospital worker placed a bright yellow bracelet on her wrist. It read: Fall Risk. That phrase meant: Watch this person carefully. She may be unsteady on her feet. Help her get from place to place.
First Corinthians 10 contains something like a “Fall Risk” warning for believers. With a glance back at his ancestors, Paul noted the human potential to fall into sin. The Israelites complained, worshiped idols, and had immoral relationships. God grew unhappy with them and allowed them to experience consequences for their wrongdoing. However, Paul said, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us . . . . So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (vv. 11–12).
If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12
It’s easy to trick ourselves into believing that we’re done with a particular sort of sin. Even when we’ve struggled through the worst of it—admitting our problem, repenting, and recommitting ourselves to following God’s ways—temptation may come calling. God makes it possible for us to avoid falling back into the same patterns. He does this by providing a way out of the sinful act we’re considering. Our part is to respond to His offer of escape.
Lord, let me see the way of escape You offer when I am tempted. Give me the strength to accept Your help so I can stay faithful to You. I know this is Your desire for me, and I thank You that You are at work in me.
Great blessings are often followed by great temptations.
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COMPARISON OBSESSSION
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Posted:Aug 19, 2016 2:40 am
Last Updated:Aug 19, 2016 2:40 am 14531 Views
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Read: Matthew 20:1–16
Bible in a Year: Psalms 103–104; 1 Corinthians 2
Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? Matthew 20:15
Thomas J. DeLong, a professor at Harvard Business School, has noted a disturbing trend among his students and colleagues—a “comparison obsession." He writes: “More so than ever before, . . . business executives, Wall Street analysts, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals are obsessed with comparing their own achievements against those of others. . . . This is bad for individuals and bad for companies. When you define success based on external rather than internal criteria, you diminish your satisfaction and commitment.”
Comparison obsession isn’t new. The Scriptures warn us of the dangers of comparing ourselves to others. When we do so, we become proud and look down on them (Luke 18:9–14). Or we become jealous and want to be like them or have what they have (James 4:1). We fail to focus on what God has given us to do. Jesus intimated that comparison obsession comes from believing that God is unfair and that He doesn’t have a right to be more generous to others than He is to us
(Matt. 20:1–16).
By God's grace, we can overcome comparing ourselves with others.
By God’s grace we can learn to overcome comparison obsession by focusing on the life God has given to us. As we take moments to thank God for everyday blessings, we change our thinking and begin to believe deep down that God is good.
I need a better focus, Lord. Help me to keep my eyes off others and instead on You and Your good heart for all of us.
God expresses His goodness to His in His own way.
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THAT THING YOU DO
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Posted:Aug 18, 2016 2:36 am
Last Updated:Aug 18, 2016 2:36 am 14433 Views
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Read: 2 Chronicles 13:10–18
Bible in a Year: Psalms 100–102; 1 Corinthians 1
The people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 13:18
As the convoy waited to roll out, a young marine rapped urgently on the window of his team leader’s vehicle. Irritated, the sergeant rolled down his window. “What?”
“You gotta do that thing,” the marine said. “What thing?” asked the sergeant. “You know, that thing you do,” replied the marine.
God will never turn away whoever turns to Him in faith.
Then it dawned on the sergeant. He always prayed for the convoy’s safety, but this time he hadn’t. So he dutifully climbed out of the Humvee and prayed for his marines. The marine understood the value of his praying leader.
In ancient Judah, Abijah doesn’t stand out as a great king. First Kings 15:3 tells us, “His heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.” But as Judah prepared for war against Israel, outnumbered two to one, Abijah knew this much: Faithful people in his kingdom of Judah had continued worshiping God (2 Chron. 13:10–12), while the ten tribes of Israel had driven out the priests of God and worshiped pagan gods instead (vv. 8–9). So Abijah turned confidently to the one true God.
Surely Abijah’s checkered history had caused grave damage. But he knew where to turn in the crisis, and his army won soundly “because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors” (v. 18. Our God welcomes whoever comes to Him and relies on Him.
I know that prayer isn’t a good-luck charm. But I come to You now, Lord, because there’s no one better to talk to. I trust You with all of my circumstances today.
God will never turn away whoever turns to Him in faith.
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THE SWAGGER
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Posted:Aug 17, 2016 3:33 am
Last Updated:Aug 17, 2016 3:34 am 14410 Views
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Read: Romans 16:1–4,13,21–23
Bible in a Year: Psalms 97–99; Romans 16
Encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
In the summer of 2015, Hunter (aged 15) carried his brother Braden 8 for a fifty-seven-mile walk to raise awareness of the needs of people with cerebral palsy. Braden weighs sixty pounds, so Hunter needed frequent rest stops where others helped him stretch his muscles, and he wore special harnesses to disperse Braden’s weight. Hunter says that while the harnesses helped with the physical discomfort, what helped him most were the people along the way. “If it weren’t for everyone cheering and walking with us, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. . . . My legs were sore, but my friends picked me up and I made it through . . . .” His mom named the arduous trek “The Cerebral Palsy Swagger.”
The apostle Paul, who we think of as strong and courageous, also needed to be “picked up.” In Romans 16 he lists a number of people who did just that for him. They served alongside him, encouraged him, met his needs, and prayed for him. He mentions Phoebe; Priscilla and Aquila, who were co-workers; Rufus’s mother, who had been like a mother to him as well; Gaius, who showed him hospitality; and many more.
Encouragers pick others up when troubles weigh them down.
We all need friends who pick us up, and we all know of others who need our encouragement. As Jesus helps and carries us, let us help one another.
Lord, in Your wisdom You established Your church as a place for us to love and care for each other. Help me to extend the grace I've received to others.
Encouragers pick others up when troubles weigh them down.
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BRINGING LIGHT INTO DARKNESS
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Posted:Aug 16, 2016 1:41 am
Last Updated:Aug 16, 2016 1:41 am 14363 Views
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Read: John 1:1–8
Bible in a Year: Psalms 94–96; Romans 15:14–33
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
In 1989, Vaclav Havel was elevated from his position as a political prisoner to become the first elected president of Czechoslovakia. Years later at his funeral in Prague in 2011, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who herself was born in Prague, described him as one who had “brought the light to places of deep darkness.”
What Havel’s introduction of light did in the political arena of Czechoslovakia (and later the Czech Republic), our Lord Jesus did for the whole world. He brought light into existence when He created light out of darkness at the dawn of time
(John 1:2–3; cf. Gen 1:2–3). Then, with His birth, He brought light to the spiritual arena. Jesus is the life and light that darkness cannot overcome (John 1:5).
“Let your light shine before others.” Matthew 5:16
John the Baptist came from the wilderness to bear witness to Jesus, the light of the world. We can do the same today. In fact that is what Jesus told us to do: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
In our world today—when good is often considered bad and bad is seen as good, when truth and error are switched around—people are looking for direction in life. May we be the ones who shine the light of Christ into our world.
Father in heaven, thank You for the light of Jesus that came into the world and for the light He has brought into my life. Help me to remain grateful and to be Your light in the dark world around me.
Shine the Light!
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A LEGACY LIFE
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Posted:Aug 15, 2016 2:08 am
Last Updated:Aug 15, 2016 2:09 am 14366 Views
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Read: Proverbs 22:1–12
Bible in a Year: Psalms 91–93; Romans 15:1–13
A good name is more desirable than great riches. Proverbs 22:1
While staying in a hotel in a small town I noticed that the church across the street was having a service. People were jammed into the church with a standing-room-only crowd of both young and old flowing out onto the sidewalk. When I noticed a hearse by the curb, I realized it was a funeral. And given the crowd, I assumed that it was the celebration of the life of some local hero—perhaps a wealthy businessperson or a famous personality. Curious, I said to the desk clerk, “That’s an amazing turnout for a funeral; it must be for a famous person in town.”
“No,” he replied. “He wasn’t rich or famous but he was a good man.”
Lord, help me to pursue a life that is pleasing to You and honors Your name.
This reminded me of the wisdom of the proverb that says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches” (Prov. 22:1). It’s a good idea to think about what kind of legacy we are leaving for our family, friends, and neighbors. From God’s perspective it’s not our resumé or the amount of money we’ve accumulated that matters but rather the kind of life we have lived.
When a friend of mine passed away, his wrote, “This world has lost a righteous man and in this world that is no small thing!” It’s that kind of legacy that we should be seeking for the glory of God.
Lord, help me to pursue a life that is pleasing to You and honors Your name.
Live to leave a legacy for God’s glory.
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RELIEF FROM THE SCORCHING SUN
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Posted:Aug 10, 2016 8:58 am
Last Updated:Aug 10, 2016 8:58 am 14414 Views
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Read: Psalm 121
Bible in a Year: Psalms 79–80; Romans 11:1–18
The Lord is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121:5
Living in Britain, I don’t usually worry about sunburn. After all, the sun is often blocked by a thick cover of clouds. But recently I spent some time in Spain, and I quickly realized that with my pale skin, I could only be out in the sunshine for ten minutes before I needed to scurry back under the umbrella.
As I considered the scorching nature of the Mediterranean sun, I began to understand more deeply the meaning of the image of the Lord God as His people’s shade at their right hand. Residents of the Middle East knew unrelenting heat, and they needed to find shelter from the sun’s burning rays.
We can find a safe place in the Lord.
The psalmist uses this picture of the Lord as shade in Psalm 121, which can be understood as a conversation on a heart level—a dialogue with oneself about the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness. When we use this psalm in prayer, we reassure ourselves that the Lord will never leave us, for He forms a protective covering over us. And just as we take shelter from the sun underneath umbrellas, so too can we find a safe place in the Lord.
We lift our eyes to the “Maker of heaven and earth” (vv. 1–2) because whether we are in times of sunshine or times of rain, we receive His gifts of protection, relief, and refreshment.
Heavenly Father, You protect me. Shield me from anything that would take my focus away from You.
We find refuge in the Lord.
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WHO WILL TELL THEM?
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Posted:Aug 9, 2016 3:29 am
Last Updated:Aug 9, 2016 3:29 am 14467 Views
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Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1–6
Bible in a Year: Psalms 77–78; Romans 10
Our Savior . . . has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:10
World War II had ended. Peace had been declared. But young Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda of the Japanese Imperial Army, stationed on an island in the Philippines, didn’t know the war had ended. Attempts were made to track him down. Leaflets were dropped over his location, telling him the war was over. But Onoda, whose last order in 1945 was to stay and fight, dismissed these attempts and leaflets as trickery or propaganda from the enemy. He did not surrender until March 1974—nearly 30 years after the war had ended—when his former commanding officer traveled from Japan to the Philippines, rescinded his original order, and officially relieved Onoda of duty. Onoda finally believed the war was over.
When it comes to the good news about Jesus Christ, many still haven’t heard or don’t believe that He has “destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). And some of us who have heard and believed still live defeated lives, trying to survive on our own in the jungle of life.
Will you tell someone the good news today?
Someone needs to tell them the glorious news of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Initially, they may respond with skepticism or doubt, but take heart. Imagine the freedom they’ll find when Christ illumines their mind with the knowledge that the battle has been won.
Lord, help me to keep an open heart to listen to others and to share about what You have done.
Will you tell someone the good news today?
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BECAUSE I LOVE HIM
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Posted:Aug 8, 2016 3:16 am
Last Updated:Aug 8, 2016 3:17 am 14518 Views
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Read: Revelation 22:12–21
Bible in a Year: Psalms 74–76; Romans 9:16–33
“Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20
The day before my husband was to return home from a business trip my said, “Mom! I want Daddy to come home.” I asked him why, expecting him to say something about the presents his daddy usually brings back or that he missed playing ball with him. But with solemn seriousness he answered, “I want him to come back because I love him!”
His answer made me think about our Lord and His promise to come back. “I am coming soon,” Jesus says (Rev. 22:20). I long for His return, but why do I want Him to come back? Is it because I will be in His presence, away from sickness and death? Is it because I am tired of living in a difficult world? Or is it because when you’ve loved Him so much of your life, when He has shared your tears and your laughter, when He has been more real than anybody else, you want to be with Him forever?
“Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20
I’m glad my misses his daddy when he’s away. It would be terrible if he didn’t care at all about his return or if he thought it would interfere with his plans. How do we feel about our Lord’s return? Let us long for that day passionately, and earnestly say, “Lord, come back! We love You.”
Lord, please come back soon!
Look forward eagerly for the Lord’s appearing.
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WHO´S WATCHING YOU?
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Posted:Aug 5, 2016 3:47 am
Last Updated:Apr 27, 2024 5:14 pm 14514 Views
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Read: Psalm 34:15–22
Bible in a Year: Psalms 68–69; Romans 8:1–21
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. Psalm 34:15
No matter where the athletes of the 2016 Olympics go in the city of Rio de Janeiro, they can see Jesus. Standing high above this Brazilian city and anchored to a 2,310-foot-high mountain called Corcovado is a 100-foot-tall sculpture called Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). With arms spread wide, this massive figure is visible day and night from almost anywhere in the sprawling city.
As comforting as this iconic concrete and soapstone sculpture may be to all who can look up and see it, there is much greater comfort from this reality: The real Jesus sees us. In Psalm 34, David explained it like this: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry” (v. 15). He noted that when the righteous call out for His help, “The Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (vv. 17–18
God oversees our lives, and He hears the cries of those who trust Him.
Just who are the righteous? Those of us who place our trust in Jesus Christ, who Himself is our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30). Our God oversees our lives, and He hears the cries of those who trust Him. He is near to help in our greatest times of need.
Jesus has His eyes on you.
Sometimes, Lord, life seems out of control and I don’t know exactly which direction to take. Thank You for overseeing my life and prompting me in the right way through Your Word and Your Spirit.
The Lord never lets us out of His sight.
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